The downtown detour of Main Street at night might qualify as an inconvenience, but the payoff will be improved water services for about a dozen businesses, according to city officials.

Work began Sunday night and will extend through at least the middle of next week in anticipation and preparation of the final phase of the city’s Downtown Sidewalks Improvement Project, which began in June of 2012 and is expected to be finished by next November.

The first phase of that $1.7 million project resulted in new sidewalks along Broadway extending to Post Office Square. It also saw the installation of seven parking kiosks and a new pedestrian island on the northeast corner of Taunton Green.

For now, traffic is prohibited Monday through Wednesday next week from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday is considered a “rain day” in the event of inclement weather that interferes with scheduled work.

DPW water division supervisor Cathal O’Brien said an antiquated four-to-six-inch water main previously servicing buildings on Main Street’s north side is being disconnected.

The businesses being affected will instead be tied into a 16-inch main on the other side of the street that is fully functional and better equipped to provide consistent water service, he said.

O’Brien said it will also ensure that the sidewalk project can proceed unhindered.

“We don’t want to have to go back and dig up the new sidewalk,” he said.

O’Brien said he’s grateful the city didn’t have to pay out of pocket for the upgrades. The sidewalks project, which includes the water-services upgrade, is being paid with money from both a Community Development Block Grant and the state’s MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

Beth Andre, who works as admissions representative for Rob Roy Academy at 1 School St., was pleased to hear the news that her water flow and pressure would improve.

“Most definitely,” she said.

Andre said the downtown hair styling, barber and cosmetology school — with its eight individual sinks used by students and customers — has long endured inconsistent water flow.

“Is that water or a drizzle on my head?” she says customers are sometimes tempted to ask.

Patia Campbell, owner of Eastern Music at 45 Main St., said she doesn’t mind the inconvenience of a nighttime detour. But she said confusion has ensued because of the hand-written signs placed over Main Street parking meters.